Edward Willenborg, age 95, of Carroll, died Monday, January 20, 2025, at Garden View Assisted Living in Carroll. Mass of the Christian Burial will be on Friday, January 24, 2025, at 10:30 am at Holy Spirit Church-St. John Paul II Parish in Carroll. The celebrant will be Fr. Patrick Behm. Music will be by Kathy Halbur and Sherry Loughran. Lector will be Becky Mikels. Gift Bearers will be Chelsea Zeken, Jessi Wessling, Angie Nees and Nicole Woodhouse. Casket Bearers will be Edward’s grandchildren: Kelli Tobin, Jason Fox, Jessi Wessling, Justin Cox, Shannon Wittrock, Chelsea Zeken, Angie Nees, Brian Willenborg, Jay Willenborg, JD Kennebeck, Jimmy Kennebeck, Kerry Kennebeck, Becky Mikels, Melissa Sanders, Kelsie Richardson, Lindsey Frimuth, and Nicole Woodhouse. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Carroll.
Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday at the Sharp Funeral Home. A Prayer Service will be held at 7 p.m. The casket will be moved to Holy Spirit Church on Friday morning where visitation will resume from 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sharp Funeral Home and online condolences may be left for Edward’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.
Edward L. Willenborg, son of John and Catherine (Uhlenkamp) Willenborg, was born November 14, 1929, in Carroll, Iowa. He grew up on the family farm south of Carroll and attended Holy Angels school.
On November 13, 1952, Edward was united in marriage with Marlene Eischeid at St. Augustine Church in Halbur with Fr. Kramer officiating. Ed was a loving father to three ornery sons and one sweet daughter. After the death of his father, Ed took over the family farm and also worked in construction, building homes in Carroll. He spent many years as a hard-working farmer. In 1962, he purchased the farm that was lovingly called the home place. During his lifetime, he enjoyed working the land, protecting the soil, raising hogs and cattle, and yet did find time to golf and vacation in Las Vegas. He always looked forward to taking out the fall crops with his brother Paul and later with his sons.
Left to cherish his memory are his children: Denny (Julie) Willenborg, Jerry (Jan) Willenborg, Susie (Dave) Kennebeck and a daughter-in law Peg Willenborg, all from Carroll; 17 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; his sisters-in-law: Julie Baumhover of Carroll, Bernadette Harrison of Omaha, and Shirley Eischeid of Carroll; as well as many nieces, nephews, and other extended relatives.
Ed was preceded in death by his wife Marlene in August of 2023; his son Larry in September 2022; his parents John and Catherine Willenborg; Marlene’s parents Peter and Lena Eischeid; his siblings: Marcella (Leonard) Daniel, Leone (Joe) Caldwell, Norbert (Louise) Willenborg, Joe (Louise) Willenborg, Paul (Lavina) Willenborg and Hilda (Norbert) Tunning.
